CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FOUR THE SLY FOX

DAPHNE'S POV I stood outside, the cool night air brushing against my skin, but it did little to soothe the turmoil inside me. My mind was racing, replaying the events of the past few hours over and over. Sasha’s presence here… it didn’t make sense. She had no reason to be in Xander’s territory—no reason unless she had an agenda. I tried to steady my breathing, but my heart pounded in my chest as the pieces began to fall into place. Sasha’s cold gaze when I saw her at the gate, the way she’d insulted me with such venom… it wasn’t just her usual bitterness. There was something more, something darker. *Why is she here?* The question echoed in my mind, but deep down, I already knew the answer. Sasha had always been envious, always resentful of my bond with Javion. She couldn’t stand that he had chosen me, that despite everything, despite all the pain, he loved me. And now, she had found a way to strike back. My fists clenched at my sides as the realization dawned on me. *She’s be